He used special numbers in NC lottery — and the result left him ‘thrilled to death’
A North Carolina man spent $1 on a lottery ticket — and was left feeling “thrilled to death.”
Joseph Eonta, 69, experienced the moment of elation after he realized his ticket was worth $402,887, according to the N.C. Education Lottery.
“I had to look about 20 times,” Eonta said May 20 in a news release. “It floored me.”
Eonta pocketed the extra cash after he stopped at Princeton Food Mart in Johnston County, southeast of Raleigh. While there, officials said he picked lottery numbers using his “daughters’ and granddaughters’ ages.”
It turns out, those special numbers helped Eonta score a jackpot prize in the Cash 5 game.
“I looked and I said ‘daggum that looks like it might be the number,’” Eonta told the N.C. Education Lottery.
Officials said Eonta beat 1-in-962,598 odds to win big in the May 18 drawing. He kept $286,091 after taxes and plans to put the prize money toward bills or a new car.
“I’m thrilled to death,” Eonta said in the news release. “This will help me considerably.”
It’s not the first time personal numbers have led to a windfall in North Carolina.
In March, officials said a woman used her late brother’s birthday when she chose her winning lottery numbers.
And in 2021, a set of “lucky numbers” scored another North Carolina lottery player a big prize, McClatchy News reported.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhen gambling is more than a game
Gambling is designed to be a source of entertainment.
If you or a loved one shows signs of gambling addiction, you can seek help by calling the national gambling hotline at 1-800-522-4700 or visiting the National Council on Problem Gambling website.
This story was originally published May 20, 2022 at 11:03 AM with the headline "He used special numbers in NC lottery — and the result left him ‘thrilled to death’."
